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Pennsylvania cargo incentive aims to boost port activity

In an effort to increase the cargo activity out of the Port of Philadelphia, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation has created a new five-year program called the Intermodal Cargo Growth Incentive Program.

Ocean carriers can apply to the program, which awards an additional $25 per container lift. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation established this program to reward cargo carriers for unloading or taking on additional cargo from one six-month period to another.

Companies that begin containerized shipping programs out of the Port of Philadelphia also will qualify for the incentive.

"Pennsylvania has a robust transportation system, and our ports are a vital part of the movement of goods," Gov. Tom Wolf said. "The Port of Philadelphia is an important asset for the commonwealth's entire economy. These incentives will help increase activity at the port, which will drive commerce across Pennsylvania and could create more than 1,400 good-paying jobs."

Currently, the Port of Philadelphia is the only port in the state that handles containerized cargo, which is why the incentive program focuses on that port. PennDOT expects to attract at least 200,000 new annual container moves each year over the next five years. Applications are due by June 30, and incentives will be awarded based on activity between July and December 2014.

The application and more information are available at the Multimodal Transportation page at www.dot.state.pa.us.

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